Conventional pilot training is a tremendous asset when learning to fly ultralights but some habits will have to be changed. They have much less mass and inertia and thus do not retain airspeed as long as other aircraft. Control response time is often quicker so the regular pilot may tend to flare for the landing much to early. Also, headwinds and crosswinds have a much greater effect and can more easily spoil your navigation and use up all your fuel.

The Academy currently operates the Piper Fleet as well as the temporarily leased Eagle Fleet of aircraft for training. Cadet pilots fly the Piper Warrior/Cadet (PA28-161) and Eagle aircraft during the Single Engine Phase and the Piper Seneca III (PA34-220T) for the Multi Engine Phase and Instrument Rating.

You need to have the skill set of a 350-hour, instrument-rated pilot. While there are no absolute minimum hours required, you need to be a proficient, current and meticulous pilot with the maturity and judgment skills to handle a high-performance aircraft. The purpose of the AirShares transition training program is to ensure that you have those skills or develop them prior to flying your aircraft solo.

Young Eagle flights can take place in nearly any type of aircraft. Most are flown in small fixed-wing aircraft (for instance, Cessnas and Pipers) but sometimes other aircraft are used..

For persons without a glider rating, the recommended flight training is to pursue flight lessons at any gliderport and obtain a glider pilot's license (preferably with flights in a single-seat composite glider). See the SSA website places to fly. This will legally allow you to fly the Silent. The actual transition to the Silent is straightforward. All flight characteristics are forgiving and entirely typical of the majority of sailplanes available for rent.

Depending upon the aircraft, the pilot's discretion, the flight conditions, and the young person's abilities and interest, Young Eagles may be able to handle the controls for a portion of the flight. If this is possible on a particular flight, it is always done only after a safe altitude and flight condition is reached, and under the pilot's close supervision and instruction.

Rechargable nicads. Generally these planes are powered by AA or sub-C cells. Depending on the size of the plane, you might find anywhere from 6 to 36 (but typically 6-8) of these cells running the motor(s).

Complex aircraft (tailwheel, retractable, constant speed props, pressurisation, turbo/supercharged) were originally meant to be flown every 2 years to keep the ability to fly them in future, and I believe the AIC on this says so. However, soon after the AIC came across, a JAR NPA (I think it was NPA 7) decided that for SEP aircraft, once you were complex qualified, you remained qualified on SEP aircraft even if you didn't fly the complexity every 2 years.

Yes, you need a Private Pilot's License. These designs must be operated like any other aircraft (they are not ultralights in the United States). Zenith Aircraft designs have been developed for sport pilots, meaning that they're designed primarily for the recreational "weekend" pilot and they don't require professional piloting or building skills. The FAA recently passed the new Sport Pilot category for recreational pilots of light aircraft. Click here for details.

We are now using two-seater aircraft because we believe these provide a better environment in which to learn to fly. Other reasons include:

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While the it is true that the majority of people learning to fly are male, there is an increasing number of women in aviation these days. The Australian Women Pilots' Association aims to encourage and assist women achieve their goals in aviation. We have a number of women flying at Airborne Aviation, and in recent times have had female flying instructors on staff.

For most of our work, we fly a Cessna 177 "Cardinal", a four-seat, single engine airplane. We own the aircraft which enables us to fly at a moment's notice. The Cardinal is a popular platform for aerial photography due to its balance of speed and maneuverability. For very low level aerial photography (between 100-300 feet above the ground), or in areas where terrain is a factor, we use a helicopter.

No, but WestWind hours may be logged only when flying official WestWind aircraft that are in our hangar. To encourage pilots to join the WestWind test pilot program, hours flown during approved testing of new aircraft being considered by WestWind may be logged. Aircraft must be approved by WestWind's Vice President of Aircraft and Scenery or WestWind's Chief Pilot prior to official testing. Contact Ed Ward, Jr., Chief Pilot, if you would like to become a test pilot.

The hilltop of Clearwater Bay Road is within the “East Pass Outbound” passage of air traffic, which is used by light aircraft and helicopters. Operators of model aircraft should therefore ensure the safe passage of such air traffic, especially in poor weather conditions when pilots are forced to fly much lower than usual.

Except with Civil Aviation Department’s endorsement, heavy model aircraft are not allowed to fly in Hong Kong.

For your convenience, we have a Cessna 172R available for pilots who do not wish to bring an airplane with them. Our C172 is a 2002 model with a KLN94 color IFR GPS and a KAP140 two-axis autopilot with altitude pre-select. If you prefer, you can bring a personal or club airplane with you to train in to maximize the benefit of your training. Training in your airplane allows us to teach according to the equipment you have installed.